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. 2018 Nov 7;18(Suppl 3):1217.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6059-4.

Prevalence and predictors of physical inactivity levels among Kenyan adults (18-69 years): an analysis of STEPS survey 2015

Muthoni Gichu  1 , Gershim Asiki  2 , Pamela Juma  2 , Joseph Kibachio  2   3 , Catherine Kyobutungi  2 , Elijah Ogola  4
Affiliations

Prevalence and predictors of physical inactivity levels among Kenyan adults (18-69 years): an analysis of STEPS survey 2015

Muthoni Gichu et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity accounts for more than 3 million deaths worldwide, and is implicated in causing 6% of coronary heart diseases, 7% of diabetes, and 10% of colon or breast cancer. Globally, research has shown that modifying four commonly shared risky behaviours, including poor nutrition, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, and physical inactivity, can reduce occurrence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Risk factor surveillance through population-based periodic surveys, has been identified as an effective strategy to inform public health interventions in NCD control. The stepwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey is one such initiative, and Kenya carried out its first survey in 2015. This study sought to describe the physical inactivity risk factors from the findings of the Kenya STEPS survey.

Methods: This study employed countrywide representative survey administered between April and June 2015. A three stage cluster sampling design was used to select clusters, households and eligible individuals. All adults between 18 and 69 years in selected households were eligible. Data on demographic, behavioural, and biochemical characteristics were collected. Prevalence of physical inactivity was computed. Logistic regression used to explore factors associated with physical inactivity.

Results: A total of 4500 individuals consented to participate from eligible 6000 households. The mean age was 40.5 (39.9-41.1) years, with 51.3% of the respondents being female. Overall 346 (7.7%) of respondents were classified as physically inactive. Physical inactivity was associated with female gender, middle age (30-49 years), and increasing level of education, increasing wealth index and low levels of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL).

Conclusion: A modest prevalence of physical inactivity slightly higher than in neighbouring countries was found in this study. Gender, age, education level and wealth index are evident areas that predict physical inactivity which can be focused on to develop programs that would work towards reducing physical inactivity among adults in Kenya.

Keywords: Kenya; Non-communicable diseases; Physical inactivity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethics review for the study protocol was conducted and approved by Kenya Medical Research Institute’s Ethics Review Committee (SSC No. 2607). Study respondents were provided with information in a language easy to understand, and an opportunity to determine if they wanted to participate or not and both verbal and written consents were obtained before participation.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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